Radiography
Radiographers work in radiology departments in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, research and medical laboratories, federal and state agencies and industry.
2025 Radiography Admission Packet (PDF)
Radiographers use radiation to provide images of tissues, organs, bones, and vessels that comprise the human body. They work in radiology departments in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, research and medical laboratories, federal and state agencies, and industry. The curriculum includes instruction in patient care and management, radiation protection, imaging procedures, quality assurance, recording media processing, equipment maintenance, interpersonal communication, and professional responsibility through an integration of classroom, laboratory, and clinical education. The radiographer is a skilled healthcare professional qualified to provide patient services using imaging modalities as directed by qualified physicians. Program graduates are eligible to apply to take the national examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists for certification and registration as medical radiographers. If you are looking for a career in radiography, you should take courses in biology, algebra, and the physical sciences prior to entering the program.
CVCC Radiography Program
The CVCC Radiography program is a five (5) semester, day time program offering the Associate in Applied Science degree. The program is accredited by:
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
(312) 704-5300
Length of Accreditation Award: 8 Years
Next Scheduled Review: 10/2/2027
mail@jrcert.org
www.jrcert.org»JRCERT - Accredited Program Details
The radiography program sponsored by CVCC has revised its policy, effective 2016, regarding the placement of students in clinical mammography rotations to observe and/or perform breast imaging. (Additionally, the policy may be applied to any imaging procedures performed by professionals who are of the opposite gender of the patient.)
Under the revised policy, all students, male and female, will be offered the opportunity to participate in clinical mammography rotations. The program will make every effort to place a male student in a clinical mammography rotation if requested; however, the program is not in a position to override clinical setting policies that restrict clinical experiences in mammography to female students. Male students are advised that placement in a mammography rotation is not guaranteed and is subject to the availability of a clinical setting that allows males to participate in mammographic imaging procedures. The program will not deny female students the opportunity to participate in mammography rotations if clinical settings are not available to provide the same opportunity to male students.
The change in the program’s policy regarding student clinical rotations in mammography is based on the sound rationale presented in a position statement on student clinical mammography rotations adopted by the Board of Directors of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) at its April 2016 meeting. The JRCERT position statement is included as Addendum A to the program’s policy and is also available on the JRCERT Web site, www.jrcert.org, Programs and Faculty, Program Resources.
Classes are held at the college and clinical experience is gained in area hospitals and doctor's offices. For students taking the curriculum as outlined, the weekly time commitment varies from 24 hours per week to 34 hours per week.
Please note
Clinical facilities now require students to undergo criminal background checks and drug testing. Students will be responsible for the cost of these checks and tests. Students excluded from clinical facilities as a result of positive background checks or drug testing will not be re-assigned to another facility. A student excluded from clinical facilities will not be able to complete clinical requirements of the program and must withdraw from the program. In addition, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists requires disclosure of any conviction, felony or misdemeanor, on the registry application. At the sole discretion of the Registry, convictions may disqualify the student from the registry examination. Applicants with a felony or misdemeanor conviction should file a pre-application with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists to determine registry eligibility prior to enrolling in the program (see the ARRT link below).
Radiography students will be required to complete clinical rotations which may require them to travel as much as one hour from campus. All students will also be required to complete rotations during the late afternoon and early evening hours (3:30 PM - 10:00 PM).
Computed Radiography
The Computed Tomography (CT) at Catawba Valley Community College is a nine month program that will provide the registered radiographer, nuclear medicine technologist or radiation therapist the didactic and clinical experience to become a registered computed tomography technologist. See the Computed Tomography webpage for more information.
Employment opportunities
Radiographers work in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, medical laboratories, government agencies and industry. Starting salaries are typically around $39,000 per year or $19 per hour. For general information related to the profession of radiography, refer to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Class schedule/length for the Radiography program
Radiography classes and clinical rotations are held during the day with some evening clinical assignments. Students will begin their studies in the classroom and the laboratory and will participate in clinical experiences in hospitals and/or other medical facilities. The Radiography program consists of five semesters, which take two years to complete. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists’ national examination for certification and registration as medical radiographers. Applicants must complete or be currently enrolled in and completing all general education/related coursework for the Radiography Program listed on the Minimum Admission Requirements (MARs) Checklist by the application deadline date. Please note that completion of these courses does not shorten your program length as the actual Radiography courses take two years (five semesters) to complete.
INFORMATION SESSION
Please contact the Program Director to get information on how to attend the next information sessions. Program Director: Scott Vandevander svandevander@cvcc.edu.
Available Information Session Dates
- Monday October 21st 2024
- Monday November 18th 2024
- Monday December 16th 2024
- Monday February 17th 2025
- Monday March 24th 2025
- Monday April 14th 2025
- Monday May 12th 2025
- Monday May 26th 2025
*all information sessions start at 4:00 pm
Program Information
Program Options
Program Options
- Radiography, AAS
Please see the catalog for more information about the degree option in this curriculum.
Related Programs
Related Programs
Information
Admissions Information
» 2025 Radiography Admission Packet (PDF)
» Radiography Student Handbook (PDF)
» Student Medical Forms (Please do not submit these to CVCC.)
Comprehensive Articulation Agreement
The Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) allows a student who earns the Associate degree with no grade lower than a "C" to be guaranteed admission to at least one of the UNC system schools as a Junior and make a smooth transition for maximum credit transfer.
Some Associate in Applied Science degrees may transfer in full or in part to a four-year school. CVCC has agreements with certain schools to accept the AAS degree in a 2 + 2 arrangement (subject to change).
Important Note: As always, it is imperative that a student at CVCC should be in full conversation with the senior school before selecting and completing a program of study at CVCC.
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Radiography may transfer to BS in Medical Imaging at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences. (Owners Only)
Data
Program Effectiveness Data
The following is the most current program effectiveness data. Our programmatic accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), defines and publishes this information. The information can be found directly on the JRCERT webpage.
Five-year average credentialing examination (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Radiography exam) pass rate of not less than 75% on first attempt within six months of graduation. The CVCC 5-year average ARRT pass rate was 98% between 2019 and 2023 with 48 students taking the exam and 47 students passing.
| Year | Percentage | Number of Students Taking Exam | Number of Students Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 100% | 7 | 7 |
| 2022 | 100% | 11 | 11 |
| 2021 | 92% | 12 | 11 |
| 2020 | 100% | 8 | 8 |
| 2019 | 100% | 10 | 10 |
Job Placement: Five-year average job placement rate of not less than 75% within twelve months of graduation. The CVCC 5-year average job placement rate was 100% between 2019 and 2023.
| Year | Percentage | Number of Students | Number of Students Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 100% | 7 | 7 |
| 2022 | 100% | 11 | 11 |
| 2021 | 100% | 11 | 11 |
| 2020 | 100% | 8 | 8 |
| 2019 | 100% | 10 | 10 |
Program Completion Rate: The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length. The annual benchmark established by the program is 75%. The CVCC annual completion rate is 78%.
| Year | Percentage | Number of Students Beginning Program | Number of Students Graduating Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 78% | 9 | 7 |
Links of Interest
» American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)
» American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
» North Carolina Society of Radiologic Technologists (NCSRT)
» Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
» Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiologic Sciences
» International Society of Radiographers and Radiologic Technologists
» Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
ValleySim Hospital
CVCC uses state-of the are facility and equipment. Many of our training services are located and facilitated by the CVCC ValleySim Hospital.
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Mission
The mission of the Radiography Program is to prepare individuals to function in the professional medical community as entry-level radiographers certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. This five semester, Associate in Applied Science program will offer opportunities for students to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to use radiation to produce images of the various organs and systems and to provide safe, effective patient care.
Vision
The vision of the Radiography Program is to strive for excellence through continuous improvement providing students with marketable skills and learning opportunities that promote critical thinking and problem-solving.
Program Goals
Goal 1: Students will be clinically competent.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will apply positioning skill.
- Students will select technical factors.
Goal 2: Students will demonstrate communication skills.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate written and oral communication skills.
Goal 3: Students will develop critical thinking skills.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate appropriate analytic skills during advanced radiographic procedure labs.
- Students will recognize diagnostic and non-diagnostic radiographs.
Goal 4: Students will model professionalism.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate acceptable ethical attitudes with patients.
- Students will participate in an ethical discussion or debate.
Program Cost
Program Cost
College tuition is set by the North Carolina State Legislature and is subject to change. Students are required to purchase a variety of books, instruments, clinic uniforms, malpractice insurance, accident insurance, and other fees as set by the College. The approximate cost for the program is $9,500. This figure is based upon current in-state tuition rates and reflects an approximate cost only.
Additional Costs (approximate)
- Uniforms $300 plus
- Criminal Background and Drug Testing $120
- Medical Exam and Immunizations $150
- Malpractice $27 per year
- Books and Supplies Varies
- Professional Seminars $500
- CPR $25
- ARRT Certification Fee $200
- Professional Society Fees $55 per year
- Radiation Monitoring Device $35 per semester
These cost estimates are in addition to the costs that any student attending CVCC will incur each semester, such as tuition, activity fees, accident insurance, books, and class supplies such as pens, paper, etc. Students applying for graduation will also pay diploma fees. Estimates for these costs may be found in CVCC Course Catalog.
Financial Aid
All applicants are encouraged to apply for financial aid. To determine eligibility, an applicant must first complete the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid”. This application is available in Student Services. For information on Financial Aid and scholarships, contact the Financial Aid Office at (828) 327-7000, ext. 4214 or 4450.
In addition, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Education and Research Foundation offers scholarship programs. The Royce Osborn Minority Student Scholarship Program provides five scholarships of up to $4000 each to be awarded annually for academically outstanding, minority students attending an entry-level radiologic sciences program. The Jerman-Cahoon Student Scholarship Program provides two scholarships of $2500 each annually to outstanding students currently enrolled in an entry-level radiologic sciences program. The NCSRT offers the Jane Cox Hendrix scholarship to radiography students annually. Students interested in applying for scholarships may speak with the Radiography Program Director for more details.
Technical Standards
Technical Standards
Radiography is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor performance requirements. The following activities are examples of the kind of activities which a student in the Radiography program will be required to perform in order to successfully complete the program.
| Issue | Standard | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. | Make judgments concerning modification of radiographic procedures and/or technical factors to accommodate patient age and/or condition. |
| Interpersonal Skills | Interpersonal abilities to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. | The student shall establish rapport with clients/patients and health care team members. |
| Communication Skills | Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. | Explain procedures, document and interpret technical actions and patient/client responses. |
| Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room, maneuver in small spaces, and lift, move, and push heavy patients and equipment. | Move and position mobile x-ray equipment in small, crowded patient rooms, surgery, and/or critical care units. |
| Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective radiographic practice. | Calibrate and use equipment, position patients/clients. |
| Hearing | Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess patient health needs. | Hear alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, and cries for help. |
| Visual | Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary for patient care. | Observe patient/client responses, assess patient. |
| Tactile | Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and the handling of small objects. | Operate locks and controls on radiographic equipment. |
| Weight-Bearing | Ability to lift and manipulate / move 45-50 pounds, weekly and sometimes daily. | Positions patient/clients, move equipment. |
| Cognitive Abilities | Cognitive ability to be oriented to time, place and person and organize responsibilities and make decisions. | Determine sequence of radiographic projections to allow for maximum patient comfort and minimum patient movement when multiple radiographic examinations are ordered on the same patient. |
| Occupational Exposures | Exposure to communicable diseases and/or body fluids, toxic substance, medicinal preparations and latex. Students shall use appropriate precautions at all times. | The student may be assigned a client/patient with a communicable disease and shall provide care using universal precautions. |
Career Outlook
Radiography: Career Outlook
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions regarding admissions requirements, contact:
Admissions
healthcare@cvcc.edu
(828) 327-7000, ext. 4216